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Braschi gave the cardinal a sly glance "Ah," said he, "Signora Corilla

seenora Malveda? She will allow you no

discount of her future laurel-crown, is it not so? I know nothing

worse than an ambitious woman Listen, Albani; it seems that we must be

mutually useful to each other; I need your voice to become pope, and you

need ive me your voice, and

in return, I proht

thousand scudi for yourself!"

"Ah, you would haggle!" conteardly vicegerent of God! But as Corilla is orth two

thousand scudi, I aht thousand scudi and the

promise to crown Corilla!"

"As soon as I am pope, I will do both My sacred word for it! Shall I

strengthen ave the questioner a glance of astonishh

"You forget that you are speaking to one of your kind! Of what use would

such a holy farce be to us who have no faith in its binding power? No,

no, we priests know each other Such buffoonery a One

written word is worth a thousand sworn oaths! Let us have a contract

prepared--that is better We will both sign it!"